Whirlpool has decided to start the collective dismissal procedure for the workers of the plant in via Argine in Naples. According to union sources, the announcement was made by the top management of the multinational during the online meeting convened by the Mise and which was attended by the company and trade unions. The CEO of Whirlpool Italy, Luigi La Morgia, in confirming the layoffs, said: “We are aware of our choice, we are the largest investor and manufacturer of household appliances in Italy”.
The table on the Whirlpool dispute was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Alessandra Todde and the coordinator of the Mise Business Crisis Structure, Luca Annibaletti, also participated. Whirlpool CEO Luigi La Morgia also said: “We want to confirm our intention to extend the possibility of accessing an incentive package during this period”. And he also stressed the possibility of evaluating “transfers within the group” for employees.
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Todde: Cig for another 13 months
Extend the layoff by 13 weeks to have time to work on the industrial plan in order to safeguard the jobs of the Whirlpool of Naples, This is the position expressed by the deputy minister Alessandra Todde according to what is learned from sources present at the negotiating table with the company about the start of the dismissal procedure. «I also retrace some important passages. In recent months I have brought to the table an important discontinuity, the unions have communicated that they are ready to consider the possibility of the closure of the plant by Whirlpool, something that had never happened in the past. Precisely for this reason – said Deputy Minister Todde – the company was asked to accept the extension of the cig for a further 13 weeks, which does not mean lengthening the stock, but giving the possibility to a relaunch process – carried out by us and Invitalia – to take shape, with an alternative and solid industrial plan, fundamental in order not to further impoverish the territory of Naples, guaranteeing employment protection. We need time to strengthen the reindustrialization process, which we are working on every day. Therefore, for the company, accepting the extension of the Cig, postponing the start of the dismissal procedure, is a choice that does not weigh in the least. While for the workers, for the city of Naples and for the recovery plan we are working on, making this choice is absolutely essential ».
Fiom: “Breaking the dialogue”
Barbara Tibaldi, national secretary Fiom – CGIL declares war. “The narration that you have been good and have been patient, you could have saved us. For 26 months we didn’t take time as La Morgia says, we fought to keep the Naples plant open. In these 26 months, Whirlpool has tripled its profits by making 5 million products. The workers kept the Naples plant open and this allowed Whirlpool to earn more despite the pandemic. We call the company to its responsibilities. The initiation of the dismissal procedure interrupts the dialogue. As far as we are concerned, if Whirlpool takes offensive actions, it will be war ».
And from Naples, Rosario Rappa, secretary of the local FIOM: «We expect a strong initiative from the government. The government cannot limit itself to taking note, it must intervene ”.